Cristiano Ronaldo could be forgiven for being emotional and teary-eyed during his acceptance of the prestigious FIFA Ballon d'Or award Monday night. His recent triumph is a hard won one, as he had consistently played second fiddle to fellow footballer Lionel Messi in the last two years, never seeming to topple "La Pulga" from the top spot, which Messi held for three consecutive years.
However, 2013 happened. It turned out to be arguably Ronaldo's best year, earning him the coveted FIFA World Player of the Year award. He must be thinking "Take that, Messi!"
Stunning Russian model Irina Shayk and his three-year-old son Cristiano Junior was with him when he received the gleaming award on stage, the Daily Mail reported. The long hard journey to the top, plus the company of two of the most important persons in his life, must have squeezed his heart to the point of tears. Awww.
And that was when it happened. Not the tears - THAT revelation.
Overcome with emotion, Ronaldo gave a short speech:
"First of all I have to stay a great thanks to all of my team mates with the club and the national team. Without all their efforts this would not have been possible. I am very happy, it is very difficult to win this award."
"Everybody that has been involved with me on a personal level I have to thank. My wife, my friends, my son. It is a tremendously emotional moment."
His acceptance speech was more coherent and well-worded than some of those uttered by certain Golden Globe awards winners a couple of days ago. So, what's so remarkable about it?
He called girlfriend Shayk his "wife." The last update was that they were "engaged" - so does that mean they've been married already? If that's the case, you've certainly pulled a hat trick on all of us, Cristiano!